Maine SAT scores slightly up in reading and math

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine high school students are performing slightly better in math and reading.

The Department of Education said Wednesday that 2 percent more students achieved proficiency or above in reading on the SAT in 2012 school year than in 2011.

About 48 percent of students tested proficient or above in math in 2012, slightly up from about 47 percent in 2011.

But scores for writing and science are declining.

About 43 percent of students tested proficient or above in writing in the 2012 school year compared to 47 percent in 2011. Meanwhile, the percentage of students who tested proficient or above in science dropped about 6 percent.

The state attributes the rise in math and reading to the fact that they're used in accountability measures by the state and federal government.